Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK1018
2008-11-05 13:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FOUR AND

Tags:  CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA 
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RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5267
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001018 

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FOUR AND
FIVE OF THEMATIC DEBATE - OTHER WMDS AND OUTER SPACE

This is UNFC-6

---------------------
C1 Days 4 and 5 10-17 and 10-20 Thematic Debate on Other
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Outer Space - Summary
---------------------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001018

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD CDG KN PARM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: 63RD UNGA/FIRST COMMITTEE (UNFC): DAY FOUR AND
FIVE OF THEMATIC DEBATE - OTHER WMDS AND OUTER SPACE

This is UNFC-6

--------------
C1 Days 4 and 5 10-17 and 10-20 Thematic Debate on Other
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Outer Space - Summary
--------------


1. (U) Summary: The First Committee on Disarmament and
International Security conducted its thematic debate on other
weapons of mass destruction on October 17. The Chair of the
Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of missiles in all
its aspects and the Chair of the 2008 Meeting of States
Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention opened the
debate. Representatives from the following states spoke:
France on behalf of the European Union, Brazil on behalf of
the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Associate States,
Indonesia on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM),Norway,
Lithuania, Belarus, Australia, Cuba, Republic of Korea (ROK),
and Hungary.


2. (U) The Committee conducted its thematic debate on the
disarmament aspects of outer space on October 20.
Representatives from the following states spoke: Russia,
Belarus, United States, Cuba, China, Republic of Korea (ROK),
Sri Lanka, Canada, and Egypt. Russia spoke in a right of
reply, stating that contrary to the U.S. remark that Russia
and China refused to agree to a neutral resolution on
transparency and confidence building measures (TCBMs),it had
worked toward that end. Russia suggested that the United
States, and in particular its draft resolution on compliance,
hindered efforts to seek neutral agreements. End Summary.

--------------
10-17, Day 4 - Panel of Governmental Experts on the issue of
Missiles in all its aspects, Chair of the 2008 Meeting of
States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention and
representatives from the following states: France on behalf
of the EU, Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associate States,
Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, Norway, Lithuania, Belarus,
Australia, Cuba, Republic of Korea (ROK),and Hungary.
--------------


3. (U) Chairperson of the Panel of Governmental Experts on
the issue of missiles in all its aspects, Santiago Irazabal
Mourao of Brazil, stated that the potential for missiles to
carry WMD was a significant political and military issue. He
added that the diversity in international interests on the
issue challenged efforts to address it in multilateral fora.

He stated that the issues on which they agreed, such as the
problem of the increase in cruise missile use, required
further discussion.


4. (U) Chairperson of the 2008 Meeting of States Parties to
the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC),Georgi Avramchev of
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, said that the
meeting resulted in broad agreements, including an
inter-sessional work program to help implement the BWC. He
stated that it also established a BWC Implementation Support
Unit (ISU). He added that seven states parties had joined
the BWC and two more might accede before the end of the year.


5. (U) France on behalf of the EU: Called on states to
reexamine the possibility of withdrawing reservations from
the 1925 Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in
War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases and of
Bacteriological Methods of Warfare. It expressed support for
the ISU but added that additional dialogue was needed for
optimum implementation of the BWC. The EU highlighted the
Chemical Weapons Convention's (CWC's) verification regime and
the need for preparation with the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The EU expressed
concern about the increase in mid-range missile testing over
the past year, mentioning Iran in particular. It noted the
62nd UN General Assembly U.S.-Russian statement that the
issue of the elimination of short- and medium-range
surface-to-surface missiles be discussed and highlighted
France's proposal to open negotiations on a treaty addressing
that issue. On the prevention of an arms race in outer space
(PAROS),the EU stated that it was working on a draft code of
conduct.


6. (U) Brazil on behalf of MERCOSUR and Associated States:
Urged the seven states that had not adhered to the CWC, to do
so. It called for greater interaction among states parties
toward CWC implementation. MERCOSUR called on possessor
states to destroy their chemical weapon arsenals. It
reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the BWC. MERCOSUR
also stated that it hoped the December Meeting of States
Parties to the BWC would take into account the work of the
Governmental Group of Experts (GGE).


7. (U) Indonesia on behalf of the NAM: Called on states that
have declared chemical weapons to intensify their efforts to
meet their final extended deadline of April 2012 to destroy
chemical weapons, in accordance with the CWC. The NAM urged
the international community to focus efforts on providing
support to victims suffering from the effects of exposure to
chemical weapons. It noted the adoption of several Security
Council resolutions and highlighted the need to ensure
compliance with the UN Charter and existing multilateral
treaties on WMD.


8. (U) Norway: Called on states to accede to the CWC and
BWC. Norway underlined the importance of the BWC
inter-sessional program of work. It highlighted its
participation in a chemical weapon destruction cooperation
program with Russia, as a contribution to the Group of Eight
(G8) Global Partnership. It welcomed the OPCW program for
Africa. Norway urged states to adhere to the Hague Code of
Conduct (HCOC). It expressed support for the Conference on
Disarmament's (CD's) work to address PAROS.


9. (U) Lithuania: Focused on issues associated with chemical
weapons and munitions dumped at sea. It added that more than
40 states signaled that sea dumping of such items affected
them. Lithuania noted that more than 50,000 tons of chemical
munitions had been dumped in various seas. It highlighted
its hosting of a September 2008 international seminar on the
issue and called for more dialogue.


10. (U) Belarus: Introduced a draft resolution on the
prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types
of WMD and new systems of such weapons. Belarus stated that
it had been adopted since 1990 on a triennial basis and aimed
to establish a procedure that would make it possible for the
CD to monitor the development and manufacture of new types of
WMD weapons.


11. (U) Australia: It welcomed the CWC Second Review
Conference but stated that it regretted a lack of discussion
on challenges facing the CWC. Australia congratulated the
three states (Zambia, Madagascar, and the United Arab
Emirates) that ratified or acceded to the BWC. It noted its
organization of a May 2007 biosafety workshop for Southeast
Asian technical experts. Australia urged the eight Pacific
states to join the BWC. It referred to the HCOC as a means
to prevent missile proliferation and stated that it was
working to broaden awareness of the Code. Australia also
noted that it would chair the Missile Technology Control
Regime (MTCR) from 2008 to 2009 and would seek to advance its
work to "defeat" WMD delivery system systems.


12. (U) Cuba: Stated that the CWC Second Review Conference
demonstrated a "balanced way" to address states parties'
positions and concerns. Cuba stated that the OPCW's most
important task would be the total destruction of chemical
arsenals. It deemed "useful" the follow-up mechanism from
the Sixth Review Conference of the BWC but added that there
was a need for negotiating and adopting a legally binding
verification protocol. Cuba stated that a number of groups'
initiatives, including the Proliferation Security Initiative
(PSI),have never been multilaterally negotiated, and
therefore, weakened the role of the UN.


13. (U) Republic of Korea: It commended the 2006 BWC Review
Conference for providing a solid base to further pursue
endeavors. The first inter-sessional work program, the ROK
continued, demonstrated the will to strengthen Convention
implementation. It noted it would host the second session of
the inter-sessional work program on two themes: biosafety and
biosecurity; and oversight, education, awareness raising and
code of conduct. The ROK stated its desire to build further
momentum at the 2011 Seventh Review Conference by
implementing the intersessional work program.


14. (U) Hungary: Stated that it would submit a draft
resolution entitled "Convention on the Prohibition of the
Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction."
Hungary stated that the text was based on resolutions adopted
in recent years and had been updated to reflect new
developments. It expressed hope for its adoption by
consensus. Hungary also congratulated the UAE, Zambia, and
Madagascar for acceding or ratifying the BWC.

--------------
10/20, Day 5 - Russia, Belarus, United States, Cuba, China,
Republic of Korea (ROK),Sri Lanka, Canada, and Egypt
--------------


15. (U) Russia: Called on the international community to
conclude an arrangement for the prevention of an arms race in
outer space (PAROS). Russia stated that, in February 2008,
in conjunction with China, it had tabled a treaty intended to
fill in gaps in international space law and prohibit weapons
in space. It added that the United States expressed ideas on
substance. It proposed that states join the Russian
initiative to not be the first state to place weapons of any
kind in outer space. Russia expressed support for an EU
draft code of conduct on space activities. Russia stated
that it would table a draft resolution on transparency and
confidence building measures (CBMs) in outer space.


16. (U) Belarus: Expressed support for full compliance with
and further development of space law. Belarus welcomed the
Russian-Chinese draft treaty on PAROS. "As supporters of
preventive approaches," it stated that the international
community should take all measures for PAROS. It also stated
that it supported a moratorium on placing weapons in space.


17. (U) Cuba: Stated that existing legal instruments, such as
the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, played a successful part
in regulating space activity. It added that PAROS had been a
universal goal but that existing agreements had not
eliminated the dangers of outer space militarization. It
proposed establishing an ad hoc committee in the CD to
address that issue. Cuba expressed support for the
Russian-Chinese draft treaty. It reiterated that it does not
believe in the use of nuclear energy in outer space. Cuba
underlined the NAM's concern about anti-ballistic missile
(ABM) defense systems and stated that they had the potential
to start an arms race. Cuba stated that transparency and
CBMs could play an important part in developing a treaty
banning the use of weapons in outer space.


18. (U) China: Stated that it could not accept the
unwarranted allegations and charges that the United States
has made against it regarding its January 2007 outer space
test. China stated that the Chinese Foreign Minister had
already "expanded in detail" about that test. China
emphasized that such tests were not directed toward any
particular state and did not violate any international law
provision. China asserted that certain states considered it
a domain to establish dominance, as well as to advance
missile defense programs. China highlighted the need for the
Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer
Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects
(PPWT) to bar non-WMD from space. It also stated that TCBMs
were not a substitute for a new legal instrument in space.


19. (U) Republic of Korea: Stated that it is worrisome that
artificial barriers to military and civilian activities in
outer space were eroding. The ROK expressed support for the
draft Russian-Chinese treaty as a basis to explore the
abstract concepts and nature of outer space. The ROK reminded
member states of the importance of protecting weapon ground
control stations. It noted its cooperation with the Russian
space agency on space flight.


20. (U) Sri Lanka: As in the past, Sri Lanka, with Egypt,
introduced the draft resolution, with technical updates, on
PAROS. Sri Lanka expressed concern about the potential
threat of dual use technology. It called on states with
space capabilities to contribute to PAROS. Sri Lanka urged
the CD to establish an ad hoc committee with a mandate to
carry out negotiations. It expressed support for the PPWT as
a constructive initiative.


21. (U) Canada: Commended Presidents of the CD and other
member states for their efforts to create a program of work
but regretted that they were unable to succeed. It stated
that it looked forward to discussions on a PAROS treaty.
Canada welcomed delegations' contributions in discussions,
including the Russian-Chinese draft, on what a negotiated
treaty could look like.


22. (U) Egypt: Also introduced, with Sri Lanka, the draft
resolution on PAROS. It added that the resolution advocated
strict compliance with existing agreements. Egypt also urged
the CD to establish as early as possible during its 2009
session an ad hoc committee on PAROS, to include discussion
of the Russian-Chinese draft treaty.


23. (U) Right of Reply: Russia: Responded to the U.S.
statement in which it stated that China and Russia "refuse to
agree to a neutral TCBM resolution unencumbered by restraints
and limitations." Russia argued that it tried to conduct
such work in 2007. Russia stated that such treaties needed
to be neutral and encumbered, and that to the contrary, it
was the United States that planned to table a resolution (on
compliance). It added that it continued to be open to
discussions with the United States and others on the work of
the CD.
Khalilzad